*British, Fire Mark for County Fire Office, 1807-1906, Copper*
Approximate measurements: 21.5cm tall x 16.7cm wide.
County Fire Office, England 1807-1906. Figure of Britannia facing front and “County” written in panel below, all are raised. Britannia is holding a spear in one hand, a shield in the other. This fire mark is made of copper.
Following the devastation caused by the Great Fire of London in 1666, there arose a pressing need for a more systematic approach to fire prevention and management, spurring the inception of the world’s inaugural property insurance policies. Recognizing the economic advantage of fire prevention over post-disaster reconstruction, insurance firms promptly established dedicated in-house fire brigades. These brigades were tasked with safeguarding the properties covered by insurance policies, often focusing exclusively on those properties. In order to denote insured buildings, insurance companies devised their own distinctive fire insurance plaques, which were fixed to the facades of buildings.
*Condition*
Good used condition. There are a couple of tears and the top two securing holes are also torn. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
RQMBOXDO_6944156298
